Whether the assassination of Boris Nemtsov was orchestrated by government figures or liberals seeking to create a martyr, his body lying in the street near the Kremlin is a bad look for Vladimir Putin.

This is a story about an African-American with an inspiring biography and fine oratory skills who made his reputation with a single speech and was then urged to run for president. (No, it's not who you are probably thinking about.)

When reporting on political matters like Tony Abbott's national security speech, what's the value of the "straight" news report anymore? In the new-media world perhaps subjective reporting can offer more.

The compromise deal reached between Greece and European finance officials last week hasn't resolved the euro debate, but it has paved the way for at least moderate fiscal expansion and a shift away from austerity.

Of all the weird developments in the past week, surely the strangest is this: Labor now fancies itself to be on the moral high ground on refugees.

In government, the ALP opened the floodgates and then spent panicked months brainstorming increasingly unpleasant things to do to the hordes of desperate chancers who - not unreasonably - took up the earlier-proffered option of being treated humanely.

Through its extraordinary attack Gillian Triggs, the Federal Government has allowed Labor to avoid scrutiny.

When it comes to achieving the right to die, community support has yet to translate into votes on the floor of Parliament. But we've learned that over time, personal stories of love and hardship can change minds.

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The Prime Minister has announced Australia will be expanding its military role in Iraq for up to two years. Tony Abbott has signed off on sending 300 Australian soldiers for a joint mission with New Zealand.